Locomotive stoker



c. J. SURDY LOCOMOTIVE STOKER March 30,- 1937.

Filed May 26, 1934 Elm 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 30, 1937. c. J. SU RDY 2,075,731

LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Filed May 26, 1954 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 warn-- I INYENTOR. @9 I I BY @ZZQf/S Jfiuz' ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 30, 1937 LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Charles J. Surdy, Tuckahoe,'N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Standard Stoker Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1934, Serial No. 727,624

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modification; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Figure '7.

Throughout the description and claims the terms forward and rearward as applied to parts of the stoker are used relative to the direction of delivery of the fuel.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the boiler is shown at l0, its firebox at H, and the backhead at l2 having a firing opening l3 therethrough. Fuel is delivered to the firebox by suitable stoker mechanism, only so much being shown as is necessary to a complete understand- 9 Claims.

My invention relates to stokers for locomotives and the like and it appertains particularly to improvements in the feeding of fuel to the distributing means as well as in the distributing means itself.

Specifically, my invention relates to stokers of the character shown in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,947,723 granted February 20, 1934, to Nathan M. Lower. Accordingly an ob- 10 ject of my invention is to provide, in a stoker of the patented type, a modification wherein the fuel is urged over a plate member forming a separable bottom for the stoker discharge mouth and being separate also from the chambered jet member therebeneeith, o which jet member ing of the invention. The Stoker mechanism inthe pressure fluid blasts are dis har d for prccludes an inclined conduit In which leads forpelling the fuel into the firebox. wardly from a source of fuel supply and is pro- Aneth Object of t invention p a s vided with a laterallyflared discharge mouth [5 extending the aforesaid plate emb beyond in communication with the firing opening l3 for and above the Point Of discharge of the pressure delivering fuel thereto. Flanges l6 are provided fl id blasts of t e j b and Still not at the side walls I 7 of the discharge mouth I5 bj is h pr vi f uch a pl m m for securing the conduit M to the backhead I 2. djustably m vable longitudin lly of th ui The bottom Wall l8 of the discharge mouth It to V y its relative P t W e Po t Of is recessed as at [9, this recess preferably being discharge of the pressure fluid blasts. wider at its forward end than at the rearward A further obj ct of y invention is the p end thereof. The bottom wall I8 is disposed in- ViS OH in t bove described plate member of Wardly from each side wall I! so that it forms a Spaced fingers i the forward end thereof DO shelf 20 at each side wall. From the underside tioned at or forward of the point of discharge of of each shelf :0 depends flange 2 which th pr s u fluid lasts t sheet a p at n of tends longitudinally of the locomotive. These the fine from the coarse fuel. In carrying Out flanges 2| are spaced one at each side of the ret iS O j I Provide relatively nd high prescess l9 and are disposed parallel to each other, Sure propelling blasts acting respectively On the forming a guide for the plate member 22, as will fine and coarse fuel. presently appear.

Other Obj reside in the provision of the This plate member 22 comprises a relatively particular means of shifting the plate member thin portion 23 which fit snugly between the longitudinally of the conduit, the f flanges 2| at the undersides of the shelves 20 to ment means for thegwt member and t spectfic form a floor for the recessed portion of the disformation of the various parts and their coaction charge mouth I Immediately beneath the 40 one with another as will become apparent from thi m0 f thi 1 t mb h b d the following specification when read in conn por n o S p a er 1S ere nection with the accompanying drawings, in et member 24, the upper wall 25 of which formswhich, a rest for the underside of the plate member 22.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary central vertical sece chambered jet member 24 is Secured tion through the rear portion of a locomotive the flanges by means of bolts 25 Passmg with the stoker feed conduit in which my invent r the named flanges and engaging the tion is embodied in similar section; chambered jet member. At its forward end, the

Figure 2 is a plan section taken on the line jet member rests upon lugs 21 which project in- 22 of Figure 1; wardly from the flanges 2|. Thus the plate Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views taken member 22 is mounted in grooves which are formed by the spaced parallel flanges 2|, the inward projections 20a of the shelves 20 which define the recess 19, and also by the upper wall 25 of the jet member 24, the top surface of this upper wall being spaced below the under sidev of on the line 3-3, line 44 and line 5-5, respectively, of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 1 as seen from the interior of the locomotive firebox;

the inward projections 20a as clearly shown in Figure 3.

The chambered jet member 24 is provided with a transverse front face 28 extending practically across the entire width of the discharge mouth l5 and preferably adjacent the outer surface of the backhead 2. Pressure fluid is supplied to the chambers such as 29, of which there are several, through intakes 39 which register with slots 3| in the flanges 2| to permit a pipe 32 to be threaded into each intake. Each pipe 32 leads from a source of pressure fluid and is usually provided with suitable valve means for the independent control of pressure.

Fuel is advanced through the conduit M by a conveyor screw 33, which preferably terminates adjacent the rearmost edge of the recess I9. The screw 33 urges fuel through the discharge mouth I5 along the upper surface of the plate member 22, the forward edge 34 of which extends a substantial distance forward of the front face 28 of the jet member and above the fuel receiving surface 35 of the distributor table 36. Within the mouth portion 5 are the independently operable deflector vanes 31, one at each side of the stream of fuel, for diverting the fuel to various portions of the distributor table fuel receiving surface 35.

The forward portion of the plate member 22 is provided with a plurality of indentations 38, which extend rearwardly from the forward edge 34 to form a plurality of fingers 39. Smaller particles and granules of fuel fall downwardly through the indentations 38 while the larger lumps pass over the fingers 39 and drop over the edge 34 onto the fuel receiving surface 35 of the distributor table 36. Low pressure blasts of pressure fluid emanating from the lower jet openings 49 in the front face 28 sweep across the table 36. The jet openings 49 are drilled in the front face 28 of the jet member 24 so that there is a jet opening for issuing a blast of pressure fluid beneath a respective indentation 38 in order to propel the smaller particles of fuel into the firebox. In a plane above the jet openings 49 are the relatively larger jet openings 4| drilled in the front face 28 so that there is a jet opening 4| beneath a respective finger 39, and since the blasts issuing from these openings issue blasts of pressure fluid of greater volume or greater effective pressure, they serve to project the larger lumps of fuel passing over the fingers 39.

Since the front face 28 of the chambered jet member 24 is adjacent the outer surface of the backhead l2, means are provided on the distributor table 36 for deflecting a portion of the fuel laterally toward the rear corners of the firebox. Accordingly, each forward side portion of the table 36 is provided with a channel 42 and a curved rib 43 for intercepting and laterally deflecting a portion of the fuel projected by the pressure fluid blasts. The distributor table 36 may be attached to the stoker conduit M by means of the bolts 44 engaging flanges 45, one at each side of the table.

Preferably, the plate member 22 is movable longitudinally of the conduit M to vary the heighth from which the fuel drops onto the table 36 and to adjust the position of the forward edge 34 with respect to the point of discharge of the pressure fluid jets emanating from the front face 28. For this purpose, the lower or rearward end of the plate member 22 is provided with an oblique slot 46 which is engaged by apin 41. The upper portion of the pin 41 is provided with a shoulder 48 while the lower portion engages 2 block 49. The block 49 forms a bearing 59 for the shaft portion 5| of a threaded stem 52 which is screwed into a lug 53 carried by the conduit I4.

Whenever it is desired to move the plate member 22 longitudinally of the conduit, this can be done by turning the threaded stem 52 by means of the hand wheel 54, moving the block 49 and the pin 41 in a straight line, transversely with respect to the conduit l4. Inward movement of the stem 52 and the corresponding movement of the block 49 and the pin 41 will cause the plate member to be retracted from the firing opening [3, by reason of the engagement of the pin 41 with the oblique slot 43, while outward movement of the stem 52 and the corresponding movement of the aforesaid associated parts will move the plate member 22 forwardly and upwardly with respect to the jet face 28.

In the operation of the structure described, fuel is conveyed forwardly and upwardly in the conduit M by the screw 33 onto the plate member 22 over which it is advanced to the forward edge 34 where the fuel then falls between the fingers 39 or passes over them to drop a distance variable by adjustment of the plate member toward or onto the distributing table 35 at a point forward of the point of discharge of the pressure fluid jets issuing from the jet openings 4!), 4|. The pressure fluid jets act upon the falling fuel to propel it forwardly across the table 36 and cooperate with the channels 42 and the ribs 43 to spread the fuel over the firebed of the firebox. In falling toward the table 36, the fuel assumes a dispersed or diffused condition, tending to break up any globular or coherent formations, thus making possible the use of lower propelling jet pressures and insuring more even distribution of the fuel over the firebed. Preferably the fuel drops forward of the front face 28 of the jet member at a point where it will be acted upon by the spreading conical formation of the jets at the point of highest effective intensity. This also permits the use of lower jet pressures and has the further advantage of eliminating the possibility of plugging the jet openings 49 and 4| as sometimes happens when the fuel is placed on the distributing table immediately in front of them.

Adjustment of the plate member 22 is particularly advantageous in that the position of the forward edge of the plate member with respect to the table 36 and the point of discharge of the pressure fluid jets may be varied to meet all conditions of service. In the broader aspects of the invention, the plate member 22 constitutes a removable wear plate protecting the chambered jet member 24 against any abrasive action of the fuel.

In the modified form of my invention, illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, the conveyor screw 60 extends forwardly to a point beyond the rearmost edge of the recess I9, and it will be observed that a portion 6| of the final turn of the screw flight 62 may be of the same radius as the rearward flights, but does not bear upon the thin plate portion 23d of the plate member 22a. In this form of the invention, the forward portion of the plate member 220. is not provided with the fuel separating fingers and indentations of the preferred construction. It is also contemplated that the chambered jet member 24 may be carried by the conduit M or an equivalent bracket formation by means of a single bolt 33 passing through the flanges 2|. In all other respects, this form of my invention is identical with the preferred form.

These and other modifications are considered tobe within the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1'. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth incommunication with said firing opening, the bottom of said discharge mouth being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plate member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein,said plate member being arranged for adjustable movement longitudinally of the stoker conduit, a pressure fluid jet member at the underside of said plate member, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separate from said plate member and arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid over said distributor table, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said plate member onto said distributor table into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts.

2. The combination in a furnace having a wall witha firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnacefor delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing opening, the bottom of said discharge mouth being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plate member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein, said plate member being arranged for adjustable movement longitudinally of the stoker conduit,a pressure fluid jet member at the underside of said plate member, said pressure fluid jet memb'erbeing- *deta'chabl r carried by said stoker conduit, a distributor table at said firing opening extending'forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separate from said plate member and arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid over said distributor table, and means for urging fuel throughjsaid conduit and along said plate member'onto said distributor table into thezone of action of the pressure fluid blasts.

3. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit includinga discharge mouth incommu'nication with said firing opening, the

bottom of said discharge mouth being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plate member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein, said plate member being arranged for adjustable movement longitudinally of the stoker conduit, a pressure fluid jet member at the underside of said plate member, said jet member having a front face provided with jet openings directed toward the furnace, the forward edge of said plate member extending beyond the front face of said jet member, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separate from said plate member and arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid through the jet openings in its front face over said distributor table, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said plate member, the fuel falling over the front edge of said plate member in advance of the front face of said jet member into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing therefrom.

4. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing opening, the bottom of said discharge mouth being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plate' member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein, a pressure fluid jet member at the underside of said plate member, said jet member having a front face provided with jet openings for issuing blasts of pressure fluid for projecting fuel toward the furnace, such blasts of pressure fluid constituting the sole means for projecting fuel toward the firebox, the plate member having a forward portion extending beyond the front face of said jet member and being provided in the aforesaid portion with. separated indentations forming a plurality of fuel separating fingers, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separate from said plate member and arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid through an upper and a lower row of jet openings in its front face over said distributor table, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said plate member, the smaller particles of fuel falling through said indentations of said plate into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the lower row of jet openings and the larger lumps falling over the fingers into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the upper row of jet openings.

5. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing opening, the bottom of said discharge mouth being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plae member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein, a pressure fluid jet member at the underside of said plate member, said jet member having a front face provided with jet openings for issuing blasts of pressure fluid for projecting fuel toward the furnace, such blasts of pressure fluid constituting the sole means for projecting fuel toward the firebox, the plate member having a forward portion extending beyond the front face of said jet member and being provided in the aforesaid portion with separated indentations forming a plurality of fuel separating fingers, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separa e from said plate member and having a front face provided with a plurality of jet Openings directed toward the furnace and including an upper and a lower row of jet openings for issuing blasts of pressure fluid over said distributor table, the jet openings of the upper row arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid beneath said fingers, and the jet openings of the lower row arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid beneath the indentations of said plate member, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said plate member, the smaller particles of fuel falling through said indentations of said plate member into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the lower row of jet openings and the larger lumps falling over the fingers into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the upper row of jet openings.

6. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing opening, the bottom of said discharge mouth'being recessed to provide an opening therein, a separate plate member at the recessed portion of said discharge mouth forming a closure for the opening therein, said plate member being arranged for adjustable movement longitudinally of the stoker conduit,

'10 a pressure fluid jet member at the under side of said plate member, said jet member having a front face provided with jet openings for issuing blasts of pressure fluid for projecting fuel toward the furnace, the plate member having a forward 5 portion extending beyond the front face of said jet member and being provided in the aforesaid portion with separated indentations forming a plurality of fuel separating fingers, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member, said jet member being separate from said plate member andarranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid through an upper and a lower row of jet openings in its front face over said distributor table, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said plate member, the smaller particles of fuel falling through said indentations of said plate into the zone .of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the lower row of jet openings and the larger lumps falling over the fingers into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the uppe row of jet openings.

7. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing opening, a chambered jet member adjacent the discharge mouth of said conduit, said jet member including a front face at the firing opening and having a plurality of jet openings directed toward the furnace for issuing blasts of pressure fluid, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet' member beneath the pressure fluid blasts, and a plate member at the discharge mouth of said conduit forming a floor for the fuel at the outlet thereof and being adjustably movable fore and aft withrespect to said conduit, said plate member having a portion extending forwardly beyond the front faceof said jet member.

8. The combination in a furnace having a Wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a stoker conduit outside the furnace for delivering fuel thereto, said conduit including a discharge mouth in communication with said firing. opening, a

chambered jet member-adjacent the discharge mouth of said conduit,said jet member including a front face at thefiring opening and'having-a plurality of jet openings directed toward the-furnace for issuing blasts of pressure fluid, a distributor table at said firing opening extending forwardly from said jet member beneath the pressure fluid blasts, and a plate member at the discharge mouth of said conduit forming a floor for the fuel at the outlet thereof and including a portion extending forwardly beyond the front face of said jet member, said plate member being adjustably movable fore and aft with respect to said front face, said portion being provided with separating fingers, and means for urging fuel through said conduit, the smaller particles :of fuel falling through said indentations and the larger lumps falling over the forward edge'of said fingers onto the distributor table in advance of the front face of said jet member.

9. The combination in a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therethrough, of a jet member at said firing openinggsaid jet member having a front face apertured to discharge pressure fluid blasts into the furnace, conveying means for delivering fuel into the zone of actionof the pressure fluid blasts issuing from said jet'member, such pressure fluid blasts being the sole means for projecting fuel into the firebox, and a distributor table at said firing opening'extending forwardly from said jet member beneath the pressure fluid blasts, said conveying means including a plate member having a fuel supporting surface extending forwardly and upwardly toward the furnace to a point short of .theforward end of said distributor table and forward of and a substantial distance above the level of the uppermost edge of the front face of said jetmember, said plate member being provided in the forward portion thereof with separated indentations forming a plurality of fuel separating fingers, said jet member being arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid across said distributor table through an upper and a lower row of jet openings in the front face of said jet member, and means for urging fuel through said conduit and along said fuel supporting surface, said jet openings and fuel separating fingers being'so arranged that smaller particles of fuel will fall betweensaid fingers into the zone of'action of the pressure fluid blasts issuing from the lower row of jet openings and the larger lumps will fall over the forward end of said fingers into the zone of action of the pressure fluid blasts-issuing from the upperrow of jet openings.

CHARLES J. SURDY. 

